Locking device for blind-slats.



R. M. FRANKLIN.

LOCKING DEVIGE FOR BLIND SLAT$;

APPLIGATION FILED mm s, 1911.

1,047,032. v Patented Dec. 10; 1912.

i li/ /8 Inmentors (Itiornegg ROBERT M. FRANKLIN, OF GALVESTON, TEXAS.

LOCKING DEVICE FOR BIaIND-SLATS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec.1( ),1912.

Application filed June 6, 1911. Serial No. 631,606.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ROBERT M. FRANKLIN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Galveston, in the county of Galveston and State of Texas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Looking Devices for Blind-slats; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to improvements in window shutter locks, and particularly to improved means for looking or holding the moving parts of the shutter in any adjusted position.

The object in view is the provision of improved means formed with a resilient member for engaging the slat adjusting strip for turning the same and exerting strain thereon for preventing accidental movement thereof and of the slats.

A still further object of the invention is the arrangement of a locking device designed to be connected at one end with the slat adjusting strip and at the other to the frame of the shutter, the device being formed intermediate of its length of resilient material which will continually exert strain on the slats and the slat adjusting strip for looking or holding the same in any position in which they may be placed.

With these and other objects in view the invention comprises certain novel constructions, combinations, and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective View of a shutter With the invention applied thereto. Fig. 2 is a section through Fig. 1 on line 2-2. Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 but disclosing a slightly modified form of the invention.

Referring to the accompanying drawings by numerals, 1 indicates a shutter frame in which are pivotally mounted slats 2 having an adjusting strip 3. Under ordinary circumstances these slats will become loose in time and normally permit the weight of strip 3 to cause the slats to incline downward. In order to lock or hold the slats in any desired position a lock embodying the invention is applied thereto. This lock is formed with a hook shaped member 4 designed to engage the strip 3 and to turn the same until the strip is pressed against the respective slats 2. The hook shaped member 4 is pivotally connected at 5 to a rod 6 which in turn is pivotally connected at 7 to rod 8. Rod 8 extends through an aperture 9 in housing 10 and is surrounded with a spring 11. Rod 8 is formed with an enlargement 12 which prevents spring 11 from being removed and which causes the spring to be brought under tension whenever rod 8 is pulled. The housing 10 is provided with an aperture 13 through which a screw or other securing means may be passed for connecting the housing 10 with the frame 1. In placing the housing 10 in position the same is so placed as to cause spring 11 to be under tension whenever hook shaped member 4 is engaging strip 3, as more clearly shown in Fig. 2. Of course hook shaped member f may be removed whenever desired for permitting the shifting of housing 10 in order to increase the tension of spring 11. By the arrangement just set forth the strip 3 is turned over and bites or impinges against the slats 2 and at the same time pulls the slats against one side of the frame 1. The slats and the strip 3 are continuously under this tension so that whenever the same are shifted to any position they will remain in that position.

In Fig. 3 will be disclosed a slightly modified form of the invention in which a spring 14 is provided which is secured at 15 to frame 1, and pivotally secured at 18 to an eyelet 17. Eyelet 17 is preferably connected with strip 3 at one side so as to cause a more direct pull of the spring against the strip and against the slats 2.

What I claim is:

1. In a lock for window shutters, the combination with a plurality of slats, and a connecting strip, of a lock for holding said strip and slats in any desired adjusted position, said look comprising a housing, a spring positioned in said housing, a bolt actuated by said spring, a hook shaped member engaging said strip and pressing the same against said slats, and a link connecting said hook shaped member and said bolt, whereby the hook shaped member presses said strip against said slats and said slats press against the sides of the frame of the shutter.

2. In a lock for window shutters, the combination with a plurality of slats and a connecting strip therefor, of an engaging member for said connecting strip, a link pivotally connected with said engaging member and designed to cause said engaging member to press said strip against said slats when the link is moved in one direction, a spring, means for connecting the spring with the frame of said shutter, and means for connecting said spring and said link, whereby said spring is adapted to move said link in such a direction as to cause said strip to continuously press against said slats for holding the slats and the strip against accidental movement.

3. In a lock for window shutters, the combination with a plurality of slats and a connecting strip therefor, of a lock for holding said strip and said slats in any desired adjusted position, said lock comprising a spring normally under tension, a hook shaped member engaging said strip and pressing the same against said slats, and means for connecting said spring and said hook shaped member for conveying movement from said spring to said hook shaped member for causing the hook shaped member to press said strip against said slats and said slots to press against the side of the frame of the shutter.

4. In a locking device of the class described, the combination with the pivoted slats of a shutter and an adjusting strip connected thereto, of an elastic device connected to said adjusting strip and to the shutter at one side thereof, whereby the ends of said slats at one side of the shutter are positioned to frictionally engage the contiguous side of the shutter frame to hold the slats in their adjusted positions.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ROBERT M. FRANKLIN. Witnesses:

G. H. J ONES, JOHN N. Srown.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

